The 10 Best Power Staplers

This wiki has been updated 24 times since it was first published in April of 2015. Whether you're a construction professional or a do-it-yourself guru, you'll appreciate owning one of these power staplers for finishing any job that requires you to drive staples or brads into tough materials. We've included options that are suitable for occasional upholstery repair as well as heavy-duty electric guns that can handle shingles, siding, flooring, and even fencing applications.
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This wiki has been updated 24 times since it was first published in April of 2015. Whether you're a construction professional or a do-it-yourself guru, you'll appreciate owning one of these power staplers for finishing any job that requires you to drive staples or brads into tough materials. We've included options that are suitable for occasional upholstery repair as well as heavy-duty electric guns that can handle shingles, siding, flooring, and even fencing applications.
When users buy our independently chosen editorial
picks,
we may earn commissions to
help fund the Wiki.
Skip to the best power stapler on Amazon.

10. Campbell Hausfeld CHN10399AV

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A nice option for the home hobbyist taking on light finishing projects, the Campbell Hausfeld CHN10399AV is an intuitive model featuring adjustable depth control, which is useful for various forms of trim work or use on delicate cabinet surfaces.

9. NuMax SL31

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Versatility aptly describes the NuMax SL31, which is capable of holding staples, brad nails, and finishing nails. Its magazine can switch seamlessly between each fastener type without the need for any time-wasting manual adjustments.

8. Bostitch EHF1838K

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Minimize your chances for error when using the Bostitch EHF1838K. Its tongue guide allows you to accurately and consistently drive your staples right into their targets, while its adjustable knobs enable you to tailor your approach to floors of varying thicknesses.

7. Porter-Cable US58

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Compatible with most air compressors, the Porter-Cable US58 operates in a pressure range of 70 to 120 PSI, making it appropriately designed for handling indoor upholstery jobs. Its driver guide moves in tandem with the magazine for easy jam clearing.

6. Senco SKSXP-L

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From furniture assembly to trim and siding, there’s not much the Senco SKSXP-L can’t handle. For such a powerful tool, it’s surprisingly quiet while you’re firing off fasteners, and it comes with a five-year warranty for peace of mind.

5. Makita AT2550A

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The Makita AT2550A is equipped with a top-loading magazine that can hold 140 staples of various lengths. Its integrated air filter prevents dust and debris from compromising its mechanism, making it an ideal choice for outdoor fastening projects.

4. Bostitch MIIIFS

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The Bostitch MIIIFS has a lightweight aluminum body that will withstand heavy use at industrial job sites. It's a pneumatic model that operates at high speed, automatically positioning and driving your staples into most hardwood floors.

3. DeWalt 2-N-1

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The DeWalt 2-N-1 is a professional-grade flooring tool capable of firing both 15-gauge staples and 16-gauge nails. Its non-marring base plates allow you to work effectively on just about any type of flat surface without causing any damage.

2. Freeman PFS9

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If you work on a farm or ranch, the rugged Freeman PFS9 may become your new best friend. This power tool drives nine-gauge staples with smoothness and precision, and it's a pleasure to operate thanks to its ergonomic grip that minimizes vibrations.

1. Hitachi Standard

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Designed with two operating modes, the Hitachi Standard allows you to drive staples intermittently by pressing the trigger or fire them continuously along a surface using a bouncing motion. The magazine features a stainless steel housing for reliable protection.

Editor's Notes

October 17, 2018:

In many cases, it appeared the Stanley TRE550Z had a remarkably short lifespan, so I took it off the list. Also removed the Hitachi N3804AB3 after discovering several reports of frequent misfiring and inconsistent power. Added the Hitachi Standard as a professional-grade option with a large staple capacity and several useful features.

When You Know A Manual Stapler Won’t Cut It

We’ll still need to fasten objects to tough surfaces like PVC and hard wood.

Even as schools and businesses gradually move toward a paperless existence, the common stapler has remained a staple of the classroom and the workplace. Why? As long as students are taking written tests and office employees continue their paper-pushing ways, the age-old fastening tool will remain indispensable.

While, eventually, digitization may render the standard manual stapler unnecessary, you can't say the same for power staplers. The ability to work on materials that are far more heavy-duty than paper sets these guns apart; they can affix robust metal staples to plastic, wood, and even masonry.

Long after our education system and corporate bureaucracies have migrated to fully digital platforms, we’ll still be constructing buildings, re-roofing houses, installing carpeting, and laying down stone patios. We’ll still need to fasten objects to tough surfaces like PVC and hard wood.

Unlike heavy-duty hand-powered models, power staplers use electricity or an air compressor to deliver a sharper, more powerful blow. The force behind this jolt is enough to drive the staple completely into the intended surface before the workpiece has time to move. Not only is it superior in its effectiveness, it’s far less fatiguing if you’re using it for an extended period of time.

Some manual staple guns can handle light duty around the house, such as repairs to curtains and drapery, working with upholstery, and even hanging up insulation. The fact that they’re capable, however, doesn’t mean they’re easy to use. Since these staplers don’t rely on an external power source, they require your strength to function. In certain situations, they’ll jam up more frequently, as well.

For more intense household projects and commercial applications, a manual staple gun isn’t even an option. When preparing for do-it-yourself carpeting installation or floor repairs, you should only be looking at power staplers. The same goes for tradesmen — carpenters, plumbers, electricians, and the ilk — who need a professional tool on the job.

All things considered, and given how affordable and efficient they have become, it’s not a bad idea to grab a power stapler for everyday tasks, as well.

Electric Or Pneumatic?

Two primary styles of power staplers are readily available: electric and pneumatic. Your budget, application needs, and safety considerations will ultimately dictate which type is best for you.

Electric staple guns can either run on batteries or plug into an electrical outlet for power. A battery model won’t present you with the hindrance of a cord — but it also likely won’t pack as powerful of a punch. Make sure to consider the amount of force you’ll need when choosing between the two.

Where electric guns require a power source, the compressed air that powers pneumatic guns leads to fewer work interruptions and a lower operating cost.

The first thing you’ll notice when using an electric model is that the trigger requires only soft pressure to operate. Because the pressure behind each shot is the same every time, you can drive staples in a highly consistent, uniform manner.

Electric staplers are typically smaller than pneumatic models, in the sense that they weigh less and have fewer components. This makes them easier to maneuver, which is especially helpful when working with thin or fragile materials that don’t require the sheer force of a pneumatic gun.

Fueled by an air compressor, the pneumatic gun is the most powerful stapling tool. Flooring installers and construction workers tend to favor these, as they drive staples faster and require less reloading. They also accommodate more types of fasteners than electric staplers.

Where electric guns require a power source, the compressed air that powers pneumatic guns leads to fewer work interruptions and a lower operating cost. If something goes wrong with your tool, pneumatic models are easier to repair, as well.

While the extra strength and industrial build are nice features, the air compressor diminishes their portability compared to their electric counterparts. They’re also much louder than other types, often requiring ear protection when in use. And remember, with great power comes great caveats: pneumatic staplers are the most expensive of the bunch.

Use Your Power Stapler Wisely

Before you dive into a home improvement project with your new toy, you’re going to want to learn how to use it properly. The benefits of this are threefold: you’ll enjoy maximum efficiency, you’ll reduce the amount of energy you use while limiting the physical strain on your body, and you’ll be much safer.

To begin, regardless of the type of stapler you’ve chosen, you have to load it with staples. To do this, you release the tray, place the fasteners inside so that they’re level with the carriage, and close it back up. You’ll know it’s closed and locked when you hear a clicking sound.

Anyone who plans on using the stapler should read the product manual beforehand, as it may contain instructions specific to that particular model.

Once it’s loaded, you simply place the gun on the surface you wish to staple, then press the trigger. The amount of finger pressure required varies from model to model, so make sure to familiarize yourself with this before getting into a groove.

Of critical importance throughout the whole process is safety. As you can imagine, one staple gone awry can lead to a very painful experience if you don’t adequately protect yourself. If a staple can punch into a granite countertop, think about what it can do to your hand.

Most electric and pneumatic models feature an integrated safety switch, which requires you to place the gun appropriately and helps prevent misfires. If it has a lock feature, make sure to engage the lock whenever you’re not using the gun.

Safety switch or not, never point the gun at another person, and make sure to keep it away from kids. Anyone who plans on using the stapler should read the product manual beforehand, as it may contain instructions specific to that particular model.

If you have an electric gun, checking the cord every time you use it is always a good idea. If parts of it are exposed or frayed, that’s an accident waiting to happen. In addition, whenever it’s not in use, you should make sure it’s unplugged.

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In addition to his corporate career as a marketing and communications professional in Chicago, Sam runs a popular blog that focuses on the city’s flourishing craft beer and brewery scene. He received his degree in journalism from DePaul University (which spurred his interest in freelance writing) and has since spent years developing expertise in copywriting, digital marketing and public relations. A lifetime of fishing, hiking and camping trips has left him well-versed in just about any outdoors-related topic, and over several years spent working in the trades during his youth, he accumulated a wealth of knowledge about tools and machinery. He’s a travel junkie, a health and fitness enthusiast, and an avid biker.

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